Method of developing a proper golf club swing

ABSTRACT

In accordance with the golf swing training method disclosed a person learns the proper way to swing a conventional golf club by practicing swinging a special practice club which is of approximately the same length as a conventional club, but substantially lighter and is flexible throughout in one direction normal to its length and substantially rigid in a direction at right angles to said one direction. The club is swung in a manner such that the club will flex in the direction of the swing path if the swing is executed with the exertion of undue swing force, otherwise the club will not flex.

United States Patent .[19l

Lupinacci METHOD OF DEVELOPING A PROPER GOLF CLUB SWING [76] Inventor:Geno Lupinacci, 280 W. Hill Rd.,

Stamford, Conn. 06902 22 Filed: on. 24, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 299,793

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,529,305 3/1925 Gatke t273/l93 B X 1,662,712 3/1928 Mensing 273/80 B [451 Feb. 12, 1974 PrimaryExaminer-George J. Marlo [57] ABSTRACT In accordance with the golf swingtraining method disclosed a person learns the proper way to swing aconventional golf club by practicing swinging a special practice clubwhich is of approximately the same length as a conventional club, butsubstantially lighter and is flexible throughout in one direction normalto its length and substantially rigid in a direction at right angles tosaid one direction. The club is swung in a manner such that the clubwill flex in the direction of the swing path if the swing is executedwith the exertion of undue swing force, otherwise the club will notflex.

1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figures METHOD OF DEVELOPING A PROPER GOLF CLUB SWINGBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past there have been suggestednumerous designs of practice clubs, including ones having flexibleshafts and weighted heads, and ones in which the normal metal shaft isreplaced by a length of cord or rope to which the head is secured andwhich relies on centrifugal force to maintain the cord extended.However, I have found that by the use of such practice clubs a golferdoesnot acquire the knowledge or skill necessary to properly swing aconventional club.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with my invention a person learnsthe proper manner in which to swing a conventional club by grasping thepractice device with the same grip as that normally used and with thedevice so positioned that the direction in which it is flexible is inline with the arc of the swing. The device is then swung in the usualmanner and if it is properly done the device will not be flexed. If, onthe other hand, the device is caused to flex, it indicates that theswing was not properly executed and the person should then practiceswinging until the device does not flex and then continue to swing thedevice in this manner until it becomes the natural thing to do. When aconventional club is used, it will come naturally to swing it in thissame and proper manner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a device inaccordance with my invention; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings, reference character designates a golfpractice device in accordance with my invention. As there shown, itconsists of an elongated, flat and thin piece of suitable material suchas wood or light weight metal. Its overall length is approximately thatof a wood, such as a driver while its cross-sectional dimensions aresuch that it is flexible in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2, butsubstantially rigid in a direction at right angles thereto, that is, inthe direction of arrow B. The device is of the same thickness throughoutits length and hence its flexibility does not vary.

The lower end of the practice device is formed at an angle so that thelower edge 12 is approximately parallel to the ground when the device isat the bottom of the swing.

At its upper end the width of the device is reduced to provide a handle16. If desired the handle may be marked as shown in order to indicate tothe user where to grip it when practicing swinging different golf clubs.

As above stated, the device is made of light weight material andinasmuch as it is of constant cross-section from the handle down, theweight below the handle is equally distributed and there is noconcentration of weight, such as is the case with the head of aconventional club.

In using the device the person grasps it by the handle portion 16, usingthe usual golf club grip. The device is then drawn backward and upwardon the back swing in the usual manner, keeping the left elbow straight,left shoulder down, etc. The device is then swung downwardly, as thoughto hit an imaginary ball, the spring being continued through thefollow-through.

In executing the first several practice swings, most persons in allprobability will swing the device so as to cause it to flex in thedirection of the arrow A. This is an indication that he is swinging toohard or pressing, and he should practice until the flexing iseliminated, and then continue until it becomes second nature to swingthe device without flexing it. Once this has been mastered, it will comenaturally to swing a regular club in this same manner which will resultin greatly improved accuracy.

If a golfer discovers that he is swinging one club or more but not allclubs properly, he should practice with this device, gripping it at theplace indicated on the handle 16 for the club or clubs he is swingingimproperly.

Even when a golfer has mastered a proper swing, it is advisable for himto frequently practice with the present device in order to be sure thathe is still swinging properly.

I claim:

1. A method of developing a proper golf club swing comprising the stepsof gripping one end portion of an elongated light weight device in theconventional manner of gripping the handle of a golf club, said deviceconsisting of a straight elongated member having a generally rectangularcross section throughout its length and no significant concentration ofweight below the end portion gripped, said device being flexible in afirst direction normal to the longer direction of said rectangular crosssection and rigid in a second direction normal to the shorter dimensionof said rectangular cross section, swinging said device in a manner suchthat said device moves along a conventional golf club swing path withoutflexing, said swing path including backward, upward, downward andfollow-through movements, and the flexibility of said device being suchthat the device will flex significantly in the direction of the swingpath if the device is swung with a force significantly greater than thatrequired for a proper golf club swing, whereby a user of said device maydiscover the manner of swinging a golf club without exerting undueswinging force.

1. A method of developing a proper golf club swing comprising the stepsof gripping one end portion of an elongated light weight device in theconventional manner of gripping the handle of a golf club, said deviceconsisting of a straight elongated member having a generally rectangularcross section throughout its length and no significant concentration ofweight below the end portion gripped, said device being flexible in afirst direction normal to the longer direction of said rectangular crosssection and rigid in a second direction normal to the shorter dimensionof said rectangular cross section, swinging said device in a manner suchthat said device moves along a conventional golf club swing path withoutflexing, said swing path including backward, upward, downward andfollow-through movements, and the flexibility of said device being suchthat the device will flex significantly in the direction of the swingpath if the device is swung with a force significantly greater than thatrequired for a proper golf club swing, whereby a user of said device maydiscover the manner of swinging a golf club without exerting undueswinging force.